The Drexel U Perc Ensemble - "4 Chord Medley" :-)

The Drexel U Percussion Ensemble takes a stab at stand-up comedy, with their rendition of The Axis of Awesome routine, "4 Chord Medley", featuring guest vocalist Joel Collier and his sidekick, Dave LaBossiere ... which shows just how easy it is to compose a #1 Hit, by using 4 simple chords. Check it out:




Thanks to Drexel U Perc Ensemble alumni Jessica Gongora for the vids!

The Drexel U Percussion Ensemble Does It's Best Pink Floyd - "Money"!!

Here's the inimitable Drexel University Percussion Ensemble performing their version of the great Pink Floyd classic - "Money" (3/4/11 - Mandell Theater)!
Many thanks to DUPE alumni, Jessica Gongora, for all the wonderful video :-)

The Drexel U Percussion Ensemble Rocked the House!!

The Drexel U Percussion Ensemble rocked the Mandell Theater last night and brought the house down with More Cowbell!! Paying tribute to the popular video game, Rock Band (by Harmonix - thanks to John Drake - who provided a copy of the game, complete w/instruments for promo and use in the Mandell lobby), the Ensemble performed classic tunes from The Clash, Led Zeppelin, Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, a special "4 Chord Medley" acted out by Guest Vocalist, Joel Collier & his sidekick, vocalist, Dave LaBossiere ... ending with Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) the Reaper" along with on stage appearances by DUPE alumni, Jessica Gongora, Chris Sannino and volunteers from the audience who accompanied the Ensemble as a cowbell choir - fulfilling the promise of adding "more cowbell" to the tune - honoring the original cowbell track played by BOC drummer, Albert Bouchard. There were a number of prizes awarded throughout the evening and a good time was had by all who attended. A big thanks to Drexel Performing Arts Department Head, Dr. Steven Powell for attending, as well as Ensemble Coordinator, Professor Scott Bacon. Also, a big thanks to Mandell Theater Manager, Nan Gilbert and the beautiful Sound Engineering by Craig Kaufmann!

A special huge thanks goes to the Dean of the Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design - Allen Sabinson, who makes this all possible!

Please enjoy this video clip of the Drexel U Percussion Ensemble, performing "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin, from last evening's concert - recorded by DUPE alumna, Jessica Gongora:

The Drexel U Percussion Ensemble Presents: A Tribute to Rock Band (Winter Term Concert) - Friday, March 4, 2011 @ the Mandell Theater, 7:00 PM!

The Drexel University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Mark Beecher, pays tribute to the video game Rock Band (by Harmonix), with Classic Rock tunes from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Blue Oyster Cult, Jackson Browne and more, Friday, March 4, 2011 @ the Mandell Theater, 33rd & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 7:00 PM. Try out the video game in the lobby (with thanks to John Drake @ Harmonix), enjoy the music inside the theater, with chances to win prizes and an opportunity to play on stage with the Ensemble! Admission is Free!

For more info, contact the Mandell Theater: Mandell@drexel.edu or the Performing Arts Office: (215) 895-2453.
Hope to see ya there!

The Drexel University Percussion Ensemble - "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash

And here's the spectacular Drexel University Percussion Ensemble performing their rendition of "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash, from the film "Walk the Line," with a special Christmas greeting at the end ;-) Video by DUPE alumna,
Jessica Gongora. Enjoy!

Drexel University Percussion Ensemble - "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa

Our Drexel University Percussion Ensemble performs the tune "How It Ends" by the band, DeVotchKa, from the movie, "Little Miss Sunshine." Video by DUPE alumna, Jessica Gongora.

The Drexel University Percussion Ensemble - "American Beauty" by Thonmas Newman

Here's our Drexel University Percussion Ensemble version of the theme music from the movie, "American Beauty" composed by Thomas Newman. We begin with the haunting theme on the piano, "Any Other Name," beautifully performed by Drexel student, Josh Geating ... followed by "Dead Already." Video by DUPE alumna, Jessica Gongora.

Drexel University Percussion Ensemble - "You're So Cool!" by Hans Zimmer

Here are a series of videos, taken by our Drexel University Percussion Ensemble alumna, Jessica Gongora (who also plays in the Unidos da Filadelfia Samba School) - for our Fall Term Concert, 12/1/10 ... paying tribute to Movie Music.

This first one, is our version of "You're So Cool!" by Hans Zimmer, from the movie, "True Romance." Enjoy!